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First place in the NFC North is on the line when the Detroit Lions head north for a date with the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday in St. Paul, Minnesota.
The Vikings (5-0) have been one of the NFL’s pleasant surprises, as they’re dominating defensively along with averaging 28 points per game. Minnesota has also surprised some of the best teams in football since it already has wins over the 49ers, Texans and Packers.
But the Lions are arguably the NFC’s team to beat, since they are the reigning NFC North champs and were 30 minutes from the Super Bowl last year before they fell to the 49ers in the NFC Championship Game. Detroit’s offense has been nothing short of incredible this season. Not only are they leading the NFL in points per game (30.2), but they’ve also scored 40-plus in two straight, including its 47-9 road beatdown of the Cowboys on Sunday.
These teams are tied for the shortest odds to win the NFC North (+140), but the Lions (+480) have slightly better odds to win the NFC than the Vikings (+600). But if Minnesota can hold serve at home – the rivals will meet again in Detroit in Week 18 – its division and Super Bowl odds will only shorten.
This is a huge game for both teams. Here’s how we expect it to play out and how we’d recommend wagering it at our favorite NFL betting sites.
Game Details
- Matchup: Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings
- Date: Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024 (Week 7)
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- Location: U.S. Bank Stadium (Minneapolis)
- Watch: FOX
Odds Summary
- Moneyline: Lions +108, Vikings -126
- Spread: Lions +1.5 (-110), Vikings -1.5 (-110)
- Total: Over/Under 50.5 (-110/-110)
Odds from FanDuel Sportsbook and subject to change.
Lions vs. Vikings Moneyline
The Vikings are one of two remaining unbeaten teams, with the two-time defending champion Chiefs as the other. Minnesota has been great offensively thanks to Sam Darnold’s resurgent season, but the team has been carried by its dominant defense that’s been spearheaded by defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
But the Lions offense is as hot as any in football. Detroit quarterback Jared Goff has completed 36 of his past 43 passes for 607 yards and five touchdowns over his past two games, split by the team’s bye week.
Which leads us to the big question: Which hot unit will regress Sunday? The smart money suggests it’ll be the Vikings, who allowed 29 points in their two-point win over the Packers at Lambeau just three weeks ago.
Plus, even though Detroit’s defense lost game-wrecking rusher Aidan Hutchinson for the season, it’s still formidable. In fact, for as much publicity as Flores and Minnesota’s defense has gotten, the Lions are actually allowing fewer yards per game (329.4) than the Vikings (330.2) even though Detroit is allowing three more points per game.
Look for Goff to have another huge game and for Detroit to go north and take home a win Sunday.
Lions vs. Vikings Spread
If the Lions are going to win outright, then they’ll obviously cover +1.5. But the Vikings have one of the handful of victories this season that were by fewer than three points, which means if you want to take an alternate spread, go for +3 or +3.5.
Whichever your preference, Detroit covering +1.5 isn’t a great wager to take on its own, since the odds are better on betting on the Lions to win outright.
Lions vs. Vikings Over/Under
The Lions defense has only given up more than 21 points once this season (against the Seahawks), but there’s still been at least 50 points in each of their past two games.
Minnesota’s offense has put up at least 23 points in every game and could be in a good position to do so against Detroit since it won’t have Hutchinson.
Thus, we’ll take the Over to hit narrowly in this game between excellent offenses.
Lions vs Vikings Props
Jared Goff Over 250.5 Passing Yards (-115)
Goff has put up at least 290 passing yards in three of Detroit’s past four games, even with Detroit’s two-headed rushing attack of David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs pushing the Lions to the fourth-best rushing-yards per game.
But the Vikings pass defense has been susceptible too, allowing the third-most passing yards per game (263) this year.
Part of that has been due to score effects since Minnesota has led in the second half of every game. But Goff is on a serious burner and has developed a serious connection with No. 1 wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown and breakout star Jameson Williams (5 catches, 175 yards, 2 TDs) over the past two weeks.
This isn’t an especially high bar for Goff to clear, which means it’s especially worth wagering.
Jordan Addison Over 49.5 Receiving Yards (-135)
The Lions defense is giving up the sixth-most passing yards per game (246.2), and even though No. 1 receivers D.K. Metcalf and CeeDee Lamb have put up big numbers against Detroit this year, No. 2 wideouts have also been successful since Tyler Lockett and Jaxon Smith-Njigba surpassed 50 yards two weeks ago against the Lions.
Addison had an extra week to rest his ailing ankle, and, even though he is 1-for-3 against the number, Darnold is likely to lean on Addison on Sunday.
Lions vs. Vikings Best Bets Summary
- Moneyline: Lions (+108). The Lions swept the Vikings a season ago and are looking to maintain that dominance. Look for that streak to improve to five of six.
- Spread: Lions +1.5 (-108). Betting the Lions +1.5 is not the best look, since they are more likely to win outright. But it would be worth it to wager Detroit at +3 or +3.5.
- Over/Under: Over 50.5 (-110). A 27-24 game will unlock the Over, which is 2-0 in Detroit’s past two games and 1-0 in Minnesota’s games against NFC North competition. This should hit, barely.
- Jared Goff Over 250.5 Passing Yards (-115). Goff is on a serious burner, with 600-plus yards in his past two games. Plus, the Vikings are giving up more than 260 passing yards per game. All that should lead to another huge game from Goff.
- Jordan Addison Over 49.5 Receiving Yards (-135). Addison is averaging 52 yards per game over his 20-game NFL career and will be going against a pass defense in Detroit that is giving up 246.2 passing-yards per game.
Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
